From the basketball courts to politics, and from a long career in sports to the forefront of everyday life for citizens. DISY MP Michalis Kounounis decided to enter politics with the primary goal of being “an ally of the people” and staying on the “front lines.”
His decision, as he explained on the “Alpha Summer” show, was based on the conviction that change is finally needed—change that can come from people who have firsthand knowledge of the daily lives and problems of ordinary citizens. “The reputation of politics has been tarnished in recent years,” he noted, emphasizing that “we must learn to serve the people, not let the people serve us.”
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Why He Chose DISY
Referring to his decision to join DISY, he noted that it was a combination of the offer he received from the party and the vision and determination he saw in the party’s president. These qualities, he said, inspired him to take the plunge and become actively involved in politics.
Education and Sports Take Center Stage
He has placed the modernization of education high on his agenda, as he believes that fundamental principles, such as solidarity, have been lost in recent years. As he noted, we live on an “economic planet,” where much of daily life depends on money. In his view, this leads many people to seek help from the system, a situation he believes must change.
“Money is at the center of everything we do, and there are vested interests,” he said, explaining that this reality has influenced and altered people’s character, as survival ends up being the top priority. According to him, this situation is gradually eroding society’s principles and values.
He also wants to place special emphasis on sports, which he considers an essential part of everyone’s daily life. As he noted, sports foster discipline and self-confidence, while also teaching children respect and teamwork. For this reason, he believes it is important to integrate sports even more deeply into education.
On the Committees and Standing with Citizens
Michalis Kounounis serves on the Parliamentary Committees on Human Rights and the Environment. As he notes, during his first two months in Parliament, he focused on resolving citizens’ everyday problems, striving to stay close to the people rather than being isolated in an office.
He states that he reads extensively and wants to stay constantly informed and prepared for any issue he is called upon to address. At the same time, he filters the information he receives and works closely with his parliamentary caucus so that he can effectively fulfill his role.
For him, politics should not be confined to the four walls of an office. On the contrary, as he emphasizes, a politician must be “on the front lines,” alongside citizens and the real problems facing society.
